Running toilet causes
When a toilet refills on its own every few minutes, water is leaking from the tank down into the bowl. The usual causes are a flapper gone soft or warped, a lift chain with no slack, or a float adjusted too high so water spills down the overflow tube. A few drops of dye in the tank make a good tattletale: tinted water showing up in the bowl, with no flush, convicts the flapper.
Wax ring leaks
Water around the base after flushing, a spongy spot in the floor, or a stain on the ceiling below all point to the wax ring under the toilet. It seals the toilet to the drain flange, and once the toilet rocks, the seal breaks. We pull the toilet, scrape the old wax, check the flange for cracks or rot, and reset it with a fresh seal and stainless bolts. A cracked flange gets a repair ring.
Flappers and fill valves
- Flappers are sold in 2" and 3" versions; match the flush valve opening.
- Fill valves should shut off about an inch beneath the top of the overflow tube.
- Dual-flush and pressure-assist toilets have their own parts; bring us the brand name if you can.
- Some toilets need parts direct from the maker, which can add a day.
- Shut off the stop valve at the back of the toilet.
- Flush to empty the tank.
- Swap the part, restore water, adjust the level.
Signs you need this in your house
- Fill valve hisses back on with nobody near the bathroom
- Bowl wobbles when you sit
- Damp grout ring around the pedestal
- Weak flush that needs two tries
Questions people ask us
Why does my toilet flush weakly?
Mineral build-up in the rim jets is common with our water, as is a partial clog in the trapway.
Should I bother fixing a dated toilet?
With uncracked china, usually yes. Very old 13-litre models may be worth replacing to save water.